Solar High-energy Astrophysical Plasmas Explorer (SHAPE). Volume 1: Proposed concept, statement of work and cost plan

The concept of the Solar High-Energy Astrophysical Plasmas Explorer (SHAPE) is studied. The primary goal is to understand the impulsive release of energy, efficient acceleration of particles to high energies, and rapid transport of energy. Solar flare studies are the centerpieces of the investigation because in flares these high energy processes can be studied in unmatched detail at most wavelenth regions of the electromagnetic spectrum as well as in energetic charged particles and neutrons

Inclined Surface Locomotion Strategies for Spherical Tensegrity Robots

This paper presents a new teleoperated spherical tensegrity robot capable of performing locomotion on steep inclined surfaces. With a novel control scheme centered around the simultaneous actuation of multiple cables, the robot demonstrates robust climbing on inclined surfaces in hardware experiments and speeds significantly faster than previous spherical tensegrity models. This robot is an improvement over other iterations in the TT-series and the first tensegrity to achieve reliable locomotion on inclined surfaces of up to 24\degree. We analyze locomotion in simulation and hardware under single and multi-cable actuation, and introduce two novel multi-cable actuation policies, suited for steep incline climbing and speed, respectively. We propose compelling justifications for the increased dynamic ability of the robot and motivate development of optimization algorithms able to take advantage of the robot's increased control authority.Comment: 6 pages, 11 figures, IROS 201

The Ransom and Sarah Williams Farmstead: Post-Emancipation Transitions of an African American Family in Central Texas Vol. 1

In conjunction with the proposed construction of the southwest segment of State Highway 45 in southern Travis County, the Texas Department of Transportation sponsored archeological testing and data recovery efforts at the Ransom Williams farmstead. Prewitt and Associates, Inc., conducted an interdisciplinary community-based historic archeological study of the farmstead from 2005 through 2011. Extensive archival research reveals that the 45-acre farm was owned and occupied by Ransom Williams and his wife Sarah, both former slaves, from about 1871 to ca. 1905. The Williams family lived in the predominantly white rural community of Bear Creek, but they had connections to the nearby freedmen communities of Antioch Colony in northern Hays County and Manchaca in southern Travis County. The stories of the Ransom Williams family and their connections to these communities are enhanced by extensive oral history research, with over 46 hours of taped and transcribed interviews with 27 descendant community members. Data recovery investigations focused on a landscape archeological study to define the layout and design of the entire farmstead, including a stock pond and a network of dry-laid rock walls that facilitated water drainage, demarcated property boundaries, and formed livestock pens. Intensive hand excavations were used to examine features associated with the Williams house, outbuildings and activity areas, and a large trash midden. This work recovered more than 26,000 artifacts. They constitute an impressive material culture assemblage that is associated, with few exceptions, with the Williams family tenure on the land. The combined archival data, oral history interviews, and archeological evidence tell the fascinating story of how one African American farm family lived and thrived in central Texas during Reconstruction and into the Jim Crow era

A Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Study of Fluoxetine for Hypochondriasis

This study assessed the efficacy, durability, and tolerability of fluoxetine for hypochondriasis, a disorder for which controlled pharmacological trials are scarce. Fifty-seven patients with hypochondriasis were enrolled: 12 discontinued during the placebo run-in, and 45 were randomized to either fluoxetine or placebo for 12 weeks (acute treatment). Responder status was defined as a Clinical Global Impression rating for hypochondriasis of much or very much improved. Secondary outcome measures included severity of hypochondriasis, somatization, anxiety, and depression. Responders to acute treatment entered a 12-week maintenance phase to week 24. Sustained responders at week 24 entered a 12-week double-masked discontinuation phase. Primary analysis used the intent-to-treat sample. More patients responded with improvement in hypochondriasis when given fluoxetine compared with placebo, starting at week 8 (50.0% vs 19.0%, P = 0.03) and continuing to week 12 (62.5% vs 33.3%, P = 0.05). Mean dose at week 12 dose was 51.4 mg (SD, T23 mg). The acute treatment response was maintained to week 24 with more responders in the fluoxetine compared with the placebo group (54.2% vs 23.8%, P = 0.04). Significant improvement was not noted on the continuous secondary outcomes measures of hypochondriasis, with the exception of the Clinical Global Impression hypochondriasis severity scale at week 24. Likelihood of response was not associated with severity of psychiatric comorbidity. Durability of response after controlled drug discontinuation could not be reasonably assessed, given the small sample size of patients who entered the discontinuation phase (n = 10). Fluoxetine was well tolerated, with no significant differences in discontinuation due to side effects between treatment groups. Fluoxetine is a moderately effective and well-tolerated treatment for hypochondriasis

Testiranje spojnog smicanja dubokih okluzalnih kompozitnih restauracija postavljenih preko podloge od Dycal, Dycal LC, konvencionalnog ili smolom modifikovanog glas-jonomer cementa

Background/Aim. The longevity of a dental restoration may be predicted to some degree by its adhesive ability, and this, in turn, can be measured by bond strength testing between restorative materials and tooth structure. The aim of this study was to test an innovative joggle lap shearing jig that integrates the tooth and the entire biomechanical unit into testing, to compare the shear bond strengths of Class I occlusal composite restorations in deep cavity preparations lined with Dycal, Dycal LC, conventional glass ionomer or resin-modified glass ionomer. The mode of failure (adhesive, cohesive, mixed) after debonding was determined by stereomicroscopy. Methods. A total of 150 standardized occlusal cavities were prepared and divided into five groups. The group I cavities (n = 30) were coated with adhesive (ExciTE®F) and filled directly with composite (TetricEvoCeram). The group II and III cavities were lined with Dycal (n = 30) or Dycal LC (n = 30) before placing composite. The groups IV and V specimens were based with Fuji IX (n = 30) or Fuji II LC (n = 30). Shear bond strengths were determined with a universal testing machine and fractured bonding sites were analyzed under stereomicroscope. The mean bond strengths were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test (p lt 0.05) and the means between the groups were analyzed with Student's t-test. Results. The shear bond strength (MPa) of composite restorations in cavities without base (23.91 ± 4.54) was higher than cavities lined with Fuji II LC (17.45 ± 2.74), Fuji IX (8.76 ± 2.57), Dycal LC (13.07 ± 1.84) or Dycal (6.12 ± 1.28). The results using the jogged lap shearing jig were consistent with the literature. Conclusion. The shear bond strength of occlusal composite restorations in deep cavities without liners was greater than cavities lined with Fuji II LC > Fuji IX > Dycal LC > Dycal.Uvod/Cilj. Trajnost zubnih nadoknada može se donekle predvideti vstom adhezivne sposobnosti materijala i može se meriti testiranjem snage adhezije restorativnih materijala i zubnih struktura. Cilj ove studije bio je da se da se testira preklapanje spoja koji povezuje zub i biomehaničku jedinicu i da se uporedi jačina veze okluzalnih kompozitnih ispuna postavljenih u duboke kavitete preko podloge od Dycal, Dycal LC, konvencionalnog ili smolom-modifikovanog glas-jonomer cementa. Metode. Ukupno 150 standardizovanih okluzalnih kaviteta bilo je podeljeno u pet grupa (n = 30): I - kaviteti premazani adhezivom (ExciTE®F) i direktno ispunjeni kompozitom (TetricEvoCeram); II i III - kaviteti sa podlogom od Dycal ili Dycal LC pre postavljanja kompozitnog materijala; IV i V - uzorci sa bazom od Fuji IX ili Fuji II LC (n = 30). Jačina vezivne snage određena je pomoću univerzalne mašine, a način neuspeha (adhezivna, kohezivna, mešovita fraktura) određen je stereomikroskopom. Srednje vrednosti su analizirane pomoću ANOVA testa (p lt 0,05), a značajnost razlika između grupa analizirana je Student-ovim t-testom. Rezultati. Jačina vezivne snage (MPa) kompozitnih ispuna u kavitetima bez podloge (23,91 ± 4,54) bila je veća u poređenju sa ispunima postavljenim preko Fuji II LC (17,45 ± 2,74), Fuji IX (8,76 ± 2,57), Dycal LC (13,07 ± 1,84) ili Dycal (6.12 ± 1.28). Zaključak. Smicanje ili pomaknuće okluzalnih kompozitnih ispuna u dubokim kavitetima bez lajnera je veće nego u kavitetima postavljenim preko Fuji II LC > Fuji IX > Dycal LC > Dycal

Early implementation of Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery training using a simulation-based mastery learning curriculum

Background After the American Board of Surgery announcement of the Flexible Endoscopy Curriculum requirement in 2014, we implemented a dedicated endoscopy rotation at the post graduate year (PGY)2 level including a simulation curriculum for Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery skills. Here we evaluate the outcomes of this implementation. Methods Beginning in 2015, we developed a clinical endoscopy and simulation-based rotation to prepare for Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery testing. Originally, our curriculum was based on the published Texas Association of Surgical Skills Laboratories curriculum using the GI Mentor and transitioned to a mastery learning curriculum using the Endoscopy Training System in 2016. We evaluated the success of the curriculum in terms of first-time pass rates, training time required, and comparison to previously published benchmarks based on clinical experience. Results Since 2015, a total of 37 general surgery residents in our program were Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery tested (PGY2 = 24, PGY3 = 4, PGY5 = 9); 84% (31) completed the Endoscopy Training System curriculum. At the time of testing, 73% (27) had performed 300 cases. Conclusion Early implementation of flexible endoscopy training with a simulation-based curriculum results in Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery performance equal to a clinical experience not often gained during surgical residency. Often requiring <10 hours, this represents a fantastic return on investment for this training

A Comparison of Temperatures Inside Protective Headgear With Indicators of Physiological Strain and Core Temperatures During Exercise in a Hot Environment

Introduction: Non-invasive temperature monitoring with a sensor mounted inside protective headgear such as a football or military helmet or a construction hardhat may be an effective method of detecting temperatures that are indicative of increased risk of heat illness. Hothead Technologies has developed a system for providing temperature information to medical personnel responsible for the health of the individual. Purpose: The purposes of this study were to establish the relationship between in-hardhat temperature (Tih) readings, markers of physiological strain and perceptual responses, and to determine the differences between the in-helmet temperature readings and core temperature (Tc) as measured by rectal (Tre) and esophageal (Tes) probes. Methods: Thirty males (age, 24.57 ± 4.32 years; height 180.51 ±7.06 cm; body mass, 81.06 ±9.35 kg; percent body fat, 13.76 ±5.11; VO2max, 46.84 ± 7.10 mL/Kg/min) completed two experimental trials separated by a minimum of one week: a continuous submaximal exercise (CSE) condition and a series of high intensity 30-second sprints (HIE) with a one-minute rest period between each sprint. Exercise in both conditions was carried out in a 36o C environment with a relative humidity of 40% while wearing a standard construction hardhat with a sensor mounted in the forehead area of the head strap, and continued until one of the following two criteria was met: the subject voluntarily terminated the session, or the subject’s Tc reached 39.5oC. Temperatures, heart rate, cardiorespiratory, and perceptual responses were monitored throughout, and balance error scoring system (BESS) and mental function tests were conducted before and after exercise. A physiological strain index (PSI) was calculated from Tc and HR. Results: CV- Calculated from final temp. Conclusion: The general agreement between the Tih and other temperature measures along with the consistency as indicated by the low coefficient of variation in the recordings of the Tih sensors at the point of termination suggest that this device may have application as a warning system for impending heat-related problems

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of repeated IV antibiotic therapy for Lyme encephalopathy

Background: Optimal treatment remains uncertain for patients with cognitive impairment that persists or returns after standard IV antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease. Methods: Patients had well-documented Lyme disease, with at least 3 weeks of prior IV antibiotics, current positive IgG Western blot, and objective memory impairment. Healthy individuals served as controls for practice effects. Patients were randomly assigned to 10 weeks of double-masked treatment with IV ceftriaxone or IV placebo and then no antibiotic therapy. The primary outcome was neurocognitive performance at week 12—specifically, memory. Durability of benefit was evaluated at week 24. Group differences were estimated according to longitudinal mixed-effects models. Results: After screening 3368 patients and 305 volunteers, 37 patients and 20 healthy individuals enrolled. Enrolled patients had mild to moderate cognitive impairment and marked levels of fatigue, pain, and impaired physical functioning. Across six cognitive domains, a significant treatment-by-time interaction favored the antibiotic-treated group at week 12. The improvement was generalized (not specific to domain) and moderate in magnitude, but it was not sustained to week 24. On secondary outcome, patients with more severe fatigue, pain, and impaired physical functioning who received antibiotics were improved at week 12, and this was sustained to week 24 for pain and physical functioning. Adverse events from either the study medication or the PICC line were noted among 6 of 23 (26.1%) patients given IV ceftriaxone and among 1 of 14 (7.1%) patients given IV placebo; these resolved without permanent injury. Conclusion: IV ceftriaxone therapy results in short-term cognitive improvement for patients with posttreatment Lyme encephalopathy, but relapse in cognition occurs after the antibiotic is discontinued. Treatment strategies that result in sustained cognitive improvement are needed